Joburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni: which coalitions reach a majority
Final IEC seats show no party can govern Johannesburg, Tshwane or Ekurhuleni alone. A DA and ActionSA deal only clears the majority line in Tshwane. Here's the seat maths for every likely combination.
No party can run Johannesburg, Tshwane or Ekurhuleni alone, and a DA and ActionSA deal only clears the line in Tshwane. With every vote counted, the DA has 91 of 270 seats in Johannesburg, 74 of 214 in Tshwane and 66 of 224 in Ekurhuleni (Rateweb, from IEC data).
That is why ActionSA, the third party in all three metros, is talking to everyone. It met the ANC on Sunday and the EFF on Monday, and says it is waiting for dates with the DA, the MK Party and others (The Citizen).
What are the final seats in the three Gauteng metros?
| Party | Johannesburg | Tshwane | Ekurhuleni |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA | 91 | 74 | 66 |
| ANC | 63 | 44 | 59 |
| ActionSA | 43 | 48 | 40 |
| EFF | 17 | 13 | 14 |
| MK Party | 15 | 4 | 15 |
| VF Plus | 5 | 17 | 11 |
| Patriotic Alliance | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Total seats | 270 | 214 | 224 |
| Needed to govern | 136 | 108 | 113 |
Sources: Rateweb from IEC results files at 100% counted on 9 November 2026: Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni. The IEC results dashboard has the official figures. Smaller parties are left out of the table.
Which coalitions reach a majority?
| Possible combination | Johannesburg (136) | Tshwane (108) | Ekurhuleni (113) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA + ActionSA | 134, 2 short | 122, yes | 106, 7 short |
| DA + ANC | 154, yes | 118, yes | 125, yes |
| DA + ActionSA + VF Plus | 139, yes | 139, yes | 117, yes |
| DA + ActionSA + PA | 139, yes | 124, yes | 109, 4 short |
| ANC + ActionSA | 106, 30 short | 92, 16 short | 99, 14 short |
| ANC + ActionSA + EFF + MK Party | 138, yes | 109, yes | 128, yes |
Reported's calculation from the final seat figures above. Reaching a number on paper doesn't mean those parties will agree to work together.
Why does ActionSA hold so much power?
Because two very different routes run through it. North-West University professor Joseph Sekhampu told The Citizen that the DA won the most seats in all three metros, "but ActionSA holds the stronger bargaining position", since an ANC, ActionSA, EFF and MK Party bloc also reaches a majority everywhere (The Citizen).
He added that ActionSA's leverage would "diminish sharply" if the DA and ANC reached their own agreement, which would give them a majority in all three metros without ActionSA (The Citizen).
What have the parties said so far?
ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont called the first meeting with the ANC "productive and mutually respectful". ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba told 702 that the DA had asked to meet, and that he had set conditions before talks, including Nasiphi Moya staying on as Tshwane mayor and the DA taking Ekurhuleni (The Citizen).
The ANC has centralised its coalition talks, with deals needing national sign-off; we explain that in our ANC coalition explainer.
When will we know who runs the metros?
Each new council must hold its first sitting, where the mayor and speaker are elected, within 14 days of the results being declared, which means by about 22 November. We explain the process in how new mayors are elected.
FAQ
Can the DA and ActionSA govern Johannesburg together?
Not on their own. They have 134 of 270 seats, two short of the 136 needed, so they would need at least one more partner.
How many seats does each party have in Tshwane?
On the final IEC figures the DA has 74, ActionSA 48, the ANC 44, VF Plus 17 and the EFF 13 of 214 seats. 108 are needed to govern.
Which party is largest in Ekurhuleni?
The DA, with 66 of 224 seats, ahead of the ANC on 59 and ActionSA on 40. A majority needs 113.